Weekend Getaways from Dubai: Five 2-Day Trips Out of the City

The easiest weekend getaways from Dubai are Hatta (mountains and kayaking, about 1.5 hours by road), Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais (about 1 to 1.5 hours), Fujairah's east coast (about 1.5 to 2 hours), Abu Dhabi (about 1.5 hours) and Oman's Musandam peninsula (about 2 to 2.5 hours plus a border crossing). All five work over a Saturday to Sunday UAE weekend. Only Musandam involves leaving the UAE, and that has visa consequences for some visitors.

This page is about leaving the city. If you want to spend the weekend inside Dubai, use our Dubai weekend itinerary, or the car-free 48-hour plan if you're relying on the Metro.

How to choose a weekend trip from Dubai

Pick by season and transport. From about October to April, mountain and wadi trips (Hatta, Jebel Jais, Musandam) are comfortable. From June to September, daytime heat makes hiking hard, so Abu Dhabi's indoor museums or a beach hotel in Fujairah or Ras Al Khaimah are easier choices. Without a car, Hatta and Abu Dhabi are the simplest by public bus; Musandam and Jebel Jais are far easier with a rental car or an organised tour.

1. Hatta: mountains, dam and kayaking

Hatta is a Dubai exclave in the Hajar Mountains. The RTA H02 bus runs from Dubai Mall bus station to Hatta, with a one-way fare of AED 25 as of September 2026; check the RTA journey planner for times. There is no border checkpoint on the usual E44 road, but carry your passport or Emirates ID anyway.

Hatta Wadi Hub, with mountain biking, zip lines and other activities, runs a seasonal programme, typically from 1 October to 5 May. Kayaking on Hatta Dam, the heritage village and hiking trails fill a second day. Stay overnight in a mountain lodge, caravan or campsite to see Hatta without a rushed round trip. Our Dubai to Hatta guide has the full route.

2. Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) combines beach resorts on Al Marjan Island with Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, reached by a paved mountain road. Summit temperatures are noticeably cooler than the coast, which makes it a good option in the shoulder months. Activities at the top, such as the zip line, need booking in advance and can close in high winds.

A simple weekend: Saturday on Jebel Jais, returning downhill for sunset; Sunday at Dhayah Fort or on the beach before driving back. Driving is by far the easiest way. See our Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah guide and things to do in RAK.

3. Fujairah and the east coast

Fujairah faces the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf. It is the choice for snorkelling around Snoopy Island near Dibba, quieter beach hotels and Fujairah Fort. The drive crosses the Hajar Mountains, and the road views are part of the trip. Allow a full day for the coast and a morning for the fort and Friday Market area on the way home. Start with our Dubai to Fujairah guide.

4. Abu Dhabi: culture and Yas Island

Abu Dhabi is the best weekend option without a car, as intercity buses run from Dubai and the capital's highlights are compact enough for taxis. Spend one day on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (dress code enforced, free entry with online registration) and Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the second on Yas Island's theme parks or Saadiyat Beach. Our 2 days in Abu Dhabi plan sets out both days.

5. Musandam, Oman: fjords and dhow cruises (check border rules)

Musandam is an Omani exclave north of Ras Al Khaimah, known for dhow cruises through the fjords around Khasab. From Dubai, drivers usually cross at the Al Darah (UAE) and Tibat (Oman) border posts on the RAK coast road.

Border rules to check before you go:

UAE exit fee: AED 35 per person is charged when leaving the UAE by land, as of September 2026.

Your UAE visa: a single-entry UAE tourist visa is used up when you leave the country. Unless you are a visa-free or visa-on-arrival national, or you hold a multiple-entry visa or UAE residence, you may need a new UAE visa to come back. Check your own status on the ICP or GDRFA Dubai websites before booking.

Your Oman visa: entry requirements depend on your nationality and on your UAE residence status. Check the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal (evisa.rop.gov.om) for your passport before travelling, and apply in advance if required.

Car insurance: rental cars and private cars need insurance valid in Oman; many rental companies do not allow cross-border travel without permission. Confirm in writing.

If this sounds like too much admin, many operators run Musandam trips with the border paperwork handled. For a longer Oman trip, see our Muscat from Dubai guide.

Weekend getaways at a glance

Best without a car

Abu Dhabi (intercity bus) and Hatta (H02 bus from Dubai Mall).

Best for cooler air

Jebel Jais, especially from November to March.

Best for the sea

Fujairah and Musandam, for snorkelling and boat trips.

Most paperwork

Musandam: passport, possible Oman visa, AED 35 UAE exit fee and a UAE re-entry check.

Before you set off

The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, so Friday afternoon and Sunday evening traffic on the E11 and E311 can be heavy. Carry water and fuel up before mountain roads. Given the current regional security situation, check your government's travel advice before booking, and keep your passport with you on any trip near a border.

Planning a Hatta or Musandam weekend? Tell us your nationality, dates and whether you'll have a car and we'll suggest a route.

More ideas: our UAE road trip across the emirates.